bfallens Loc: Cape Coral, Florida

Does anyone have any suggestions for a inexpensive bait cast net for a beginner to throw? Suggestions for brand and size would be greatly appreciated. When reading product reviews they are so "all-over-the-place" that they seldom make sense. I primarily fish in SW Florida, so pinfish, pilchards, and the like would be targets.

hhager23 Loc: Hatteras NC

You get what you pay for in a cast net but you may not need all that much depending on what you use it for and how often. Smaller nets (4-6' RADIUS) are much easier to learn to throw. If you spend big $ and get a 10-14' Black Pearl, Calusa, or Humpback net initially, you will likely get so discouraged trying to learn to throw it that you will never use it. Few upper end cast net companies make anything less than 8' RADIUS nets.

I keep capitalizing RADIUS because you need to be very careful in sizing cast nets and realize that a 6' RADIUS net will open to be 12' DIAMETER so read and order carefully.

Costs go up depending on net size, material, and component quality. Reinforced netting, additional weight in the lead line, larger horn size, stronger braille lines all add to the cost.

For what you described wanting to catch I would suggest a 4-6' RADIUS monofilament cast net with a 3/8" mesh. If you are only interested catching bait over 4" you could go to a 1/2" mesh. You want a minimum of a #/ft in lead (not zinc) and preferably 1.3# or better. You should be able to find something like this for <$50. I don't recommend buying used but if you do inspect it carefully as sun and improper storage can destroy one in pretty short order.

I would also encourage you to go the Calusa and Black Pearl websites and see what the difference is in nets why they get $300+ per net vs. a $75 no name from China.

I do 95% of my cast netting from shore and use a 6' RADIUS Calusa and a 8' RADIUS Black Pearl. I will not throw the Black Pearl if there is ANY chance of it snagging (which normally is not an issue with predominantly sandy bottoms but can be in unknown tidal creeks or around any type of structure). My little brother throws 12-14' primarily from a boat.

IMO the 6' 3/8" Calusa Cracker net would do well for you at ~$125. You could spend half that but will probably be spending at least the same amount again in a couple years. The video on the Calusa site on how to throw a cast net this one of the best and simplest I have seen so I recommend that as well.

Good luck with your cast netting. Let me know if you have any questions I can help with. One of my rewards for mowing the lawn is I get a nice clean area to go out and practice throwing the cast nets. It gets to be kind of a zen thing. My neighbors think I am catching bugs.....

BTW never practice on concrete. I burrs up the lead line and can damage the braille lines.

bfallens Loc: Cape Coral, Florida

Thanks for the info! Great stuff.

Mustang66 Loc: Lake Palestine,TX

I use a Fitec Super Spreader with built in throw ring. Much easier to lean to throw. Academy has 4 1/2’ for less than $40. Also when that net wears out you can put the ring in a bigger & better net. Comes with instructions and several how to video on you tube.
Main thing is you don’t have to do all the folding and such. You just suspend the net from the ring in you hand, reach down and lift lift up the lead line, drape over ring, wind up and throw. With a little practice you can get perfect pancakes. I’ve been using them over 20 years.

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

Thanks Mustang66 sounds great for small creeks around me